Liverpool’s trip to the AMEX a huge test in their Premier League title charge

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Liverpool travels to the South in the first game of the Premier League weekend as Brighton & Hove Albion welcome the Jürgen Klopp led side to the AMEX Stadium in the lunchtime kick-off.

(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Brighton will go into the match on the back of losing 2-1 to Newcastle United at St James' park last weekend. Liverpool on the other hand, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at Anfield after a brilliant curler from Lautoro Martinez in the only goal of the game.

The defeat meant little hurt as the Reds still progressed to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win.

Liverpool edge West Ham United in a narrow 1-0 the last time out in the league last Sunday to maintain the pressure on leaders Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.

Liverpool has managed to pick maximum points in their last five games, though they have struggled in front of goal, combining three goal in their last two league fixtures. Brighton has also picked up just one win from their last 10 Premier League matches at the Amex since the start of October, taking just two points from the last 12 on offer.

Graham Potter's side currently sits 13th on the log with 33 points same point as Crystal Palace and Leicester City.

Managers Pre-match Interview:

“You have to think of all sorts of things when you’re playing against these teams because they have got a qualitative advantage over you, they’ve got better players and a better coach and are just another level above us,” Potter said (via Sussex Live).

“I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone at Brighton & Hove Albion. It’s said more out of respect for Liverpool.

“You’ve got to either play well, they’ve got to have a bit of an off day, and you’ve got to be lucky. You’ve got to use whatever advantage you can to get a result.”

“So anything like that if you think it’s going to help you get a result, it’s about whether the players can execute it, it’s not about numbers on a board, because it’s easier playing it on a tactic board than it is in real person against Liverpool. But we will try our best.”

Klopp on Brighton Threat;

“They are a really good football team. Graham Potter is an outstanding coach. I like what he is doing. If you look at the players they bring in and how they play, it's really exciting to watch.”

Klopp on maintaining high standards

“I believe in humans and the fact that everyone has a specific amount of self-motivation. If you see other guys around you, who have something similar, you realise there is still space for improvement. We were lucky in some moments and smart in moments in bringing these boys together, and it's now about role models in the team and who sets the standards.”

Klopp on absentees from training

“We had a few little things, but nobody is out of training. On top of that, COVID is not over, so these things, we've had. We try everything to avoid, but it's not always possible. Players and staff have no symptoms but cannot be involved.”

Team news

Graham Potter said in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, "Adam Webster is the only player who is missing for this Saturday's game; everyone else is available.”

“Enock Mwepu has trained this week which is really good, but we need to keep an eye on his minutes and his involvement.”

Roberto Firmino is in contention to feature when Liverpool travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, Jürgen Klopp confirmed.

Brighton heads into today’s fixture on the back of four successive Premier League defeats and will be eager to respond at home. At the same time, Liverpool looks to close the gap between them and the league leaders who play away to Crystal Palace on Monday night.

Brighton has proven a tough nut to crack for Jurgen Klopp Liverpool in recent months, but performances and goals for the home side have been poor lately, and they are predicted to be overruned by the high flying Reds.

Brighton predicted XI:
Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Duffy, Lamptey, Moder, Bissouma, Gross, Cucurella, Trossard, Maupay.

Liverpool predicted XI:
Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Keita, Salah, Mane, Diaz.

Author: Adeshina Abdullahi

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